Technology/social media friend or foe?

Photo by Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash

 I have to admit that technology and me don't mix. Some of my friends think I'm really good at it. It's just that they are worse than me! I have managed (sometimes) to help friends with their mobiles. Tthe most recent was when a friend couldn't pick up wi-fi except in the hotel where we were staying. I suggested turning the phone off and on again (a tip my son gave me...and hers apparently). It worked. Sons, what we do without them? Though they don't get why us oldies can't remember what they've said/shown us before. It will come back to haunt them one day!

Technology can do so much these days, if only one can understand it. I'm not good at reading instructions and prefer someone to physically show me how things work. And then I need notes. It takes time to learn new things, and too much at once overwhelms me.

Instagram, now that's another thing I can't seem to master. I used it years ago when my youngest went travelling. He was never the most communicative, but he did post to Instagram, so I joined for him. That way I'd knew he was safe. I used it myself very rarely. Recently, I thought I'd go back to it. It's changed. I have no idea what I am doing. I posted a couple of times and haven't bothered since. The whole thing confuses me. Writers use it a lot, so I thought it might work for me, but I'm out of my depth and I don't have the patience to get involved.

Goodreads is another place I thought I'd engage with. I've used it in the past to review books, so this time I decided to set up an author page. Three times I've tried, and I really thought I'd got there the last time, but no. I know a friend has left a review of my book there (and Watersones), but that's all that's been achieved there.

On Substack, I have a few followers, but not nearly as many as I have here, and like X I seem to attack US males who have no interest in books or writing. There is very little interaction on any media I choose. Am I just not doing it right, or does everyone have this problem? I've heard others complain about it, yet others have tons of followers. Sometimes I think it's just luck. And then I wonder whether it's all worth the bother.

Whether you are a traditionally published author or go down the indie or self-publishing route, most of the marketing/publicity is down to you. But if you cannot get your book across to people, what then? And as for book reviews...well. I had people tell me how much they loved my book and wanted a follow-up. I begged them to write a review. They said yes but I'm still waiting. I  know everyone hates writing reviews. I do too. I don't think readers think how difficult it is to get noticed. They just see all the books on shelves and how much these authors are making. Huh? Only a small minority make the kind of cash that one can give up the day job for. 

I would rather be writing than have to deal with all the business side of this game, especially as I am not savvy on social media. I do my best, and of course there are people you can pay to do this for you. That's more money I cannot afford to spend.

Sorry, this is a moany post. I envy the youngsters who know their way around apps and such like. All I want to do is write stories and hope people like them. Is that too much to ask?

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash